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.GE BURCHARD 





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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT: 



Rongji 



By GEORGE BURCHARD 




Wbt Miitaut & Eap Compaq 



(Incorporated) 

PUBLISHERS 

San Francisco 
1905 



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1905 


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CUSS <^ AXc. No; f 

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COPY B. 



Copyright 1904 

h 

George Burchard 






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PREFACE 

The poems contained in this Book of Verse have been 
pitched in various keys, according to the nature of the 
thought and feelings which dominate the themes. 

It seems sufficient to express the hope that some of 
these songs may awaken a responsive chord in the heart of 
the reader, 

GEORGE BURCHARD 



CONTENTS. 

Robert of Lincoln 13 

A Mountain Song 17 

The Meadow-Lark 19 

Hymn to the Morning 20 

Mountain Pines — A Song 22 

How Day Excels the Night .... 23 

Daybreak . . . 25 

After the Storm 27 

The Siskiyous 28 

The Reformers Creed 30 

Let My People Go ! 31 

Who Is My Master? 33 

Sailing Room for All 34 

Discharging a Debt 35 

The Voyage of Life ....... 36 

Love's Chain 37 

To a Departing Friend 38 

Golden Gates 39 

Dining a Friend 41 

Dark Is the Storm-Cloud 45 

Life Is Beautiful 46 

Flag of Our Fathers 47 

Courage -49 

7] 



& o n of Jn S$anp Jktv* 



Lines Written at the Death of 

William McKinley 51 

A Dirge 52 

Hope 53 

Song — In the Meadows 54 

The Reconciliation ....... 55 

Lines to a Young Urchin 56 

To a Child 58 

Songs That Mother Used to Sing . . . 59 

Good-by 60 

Shoshone Cradle Song 62 

The Lover's Dream 63 

Rain in California 64 

A Harvest Song 65 

The Belfry Clock 66 

The Voice of the Battle 68 

Toleration 69 

When Thou Art Near 70 

How Firm of Heart 72 

The Universal Prayer 73 

For Ages and for Ages ...... 74 

Travellers 75 

Step by Step 80 

The Autumn Leaf 82 

Voice of the Organ 83 

[8 



&ong0 Jn 9Mnp lii»0 



Sonnets 89 

A Vision of California 91 

Love and Truth Working 92 

Storm at Sea 93 

A Mind of Calm Content 94 

A Million Years but as Yesterday ... 95 

Mother and Child 96 

Transforming Power of Love .... 97 

The Light Prophetic 98 

The Commons 99 

Truth Is Changeless 100 

Power of Faith 101 

The True Victor 102 

Nobility of Work 103 

Prisoners of Hope 104 

The Problem 105 



91 



3[n jttan? Mm 



&ong* In fan! HeH 



ROBERT OF LINCOLN. 



When the long and dreamy days of June 
Linger on the endless praire-land, 

Sweet, oh Bobolink, that warbling tune! 
Life's best riches come at your command! 

Piebald singer, rollicking with - mirth, 
Swaying from some simple homely weed, 

Trilling to your nestlings on the earth, 
Soon will pinions aid your joyful speed! 

With a sudden flirt you upward spring, 
Leave behind the well-screen'd, grassy nest, 

Mounting, mounting, while you sing and sing,- 
Life for you holds nothing but the best ! 



13] 



feonggs In tyanv Ikty* 



ii. 



I have heard a doubtful story 

Of your curious transformations, 

Changes wrought in voice and plumage, 

From my well-known meadow-singer 

(Dress'd in black and very proper) 

To a bird whose reputation 

Scarce would stand a close inspection; 

But Fm loath to give it credence. 

Stories of the evil doings 

Must be proved, ere I believe them, 

Of my singer of the meadows ! 

Characters are built up slowly, 

And the life you have been leading, 

All the days of balmy summer, 

Proves you love your wife and children, 

Love the sunshine and its brightness, 

And the waving of the grasses ! 

How could such a bird as you were, 
Always careful of your duties, 

in 



&on&0 In 9®anv %(H 



Always singing out of gladness, 
With a heart whose throbs were praises,- 
How could you become a spendthrift? 
Pass your days in ribald chatter, 
Down among the reeds and sedges, 
Deck'd in feathers brown and sombre — 
Like the common birds of passage, — 
Swarming on the bending rushes, 
Waiting there with countless thousands, 
Till the huntsman came to find you? 

How could you become a gourmand 
Later, in the southern rice-fields? 
Pass the sunny days in eating! 
With a crowd of hungry comrades 
Settling, thick as bees at swarming, 
Where the rice-stalks grow the rankest? 

Tales like these they have been telling 
Of the double-life you're leading, — 
But, my Robert, I know better 
Than to listen to such prattle! 
All the days of balmy summer 



15] 



&ong0 In 9®anv Iktyg 



Prove you love your wife and children, 
Love the sunshine and its brightness, 
Love the waving of the grasses ! 
Well I know you've done your duty, 
Sung your song whose notes were gladness, 
With a heart whose throbs were praises! 

Tis by such things I remember 
What your life has been among us; 
And 'tis useless for these prophets 
To predict your future downfall, 
When the wealth of waving rice-fields 
Works the ruin of its robbers — 
To such tales I give no credence! 



III. 

Then sing with a will while the day is advancing ! 
On the top of the hill, how the sunbeams are 

dancing ! 
The tall grasses nod, there's a stir in the trees, 
The bounty of God is borne with the breeze. 

[16 



&0U00 Jn tyanv T&ty& 



Up, up and away, your swift course be winging, 
'Tis best to greet day with music and singing; 
A song for your mate, who follows your flight, 
As you soar to the gate, to the fountain of light! 

The day is at hand, who cares for the morrow 1 
As a mist from the land, light scatters all sorrow I 
Sing, Robert, oh sing ! with a voice free of care ! 
Let the whole valley ring, for the morning is fair ! 



A MOUNTAIN SONG. 

Tho' I dwell here in the valley, 
Heart and thought are far away; 

Tho' I hear the blithe lark whistling, 
Sounding welcome to the day, 

Yet I'm yearning for the mountains — 
Sunburst lights and shadows gray! 



17] 



&ong* Jn S$an? lktv& 



Have you seen the waking Sunrise, 

Painting on a rose-hued sky? 
Dashing o'er the Night's dark splendor, 

Gorgeous shades of Eastern dye? 
Mingling colors that the artists 

Have in vain essayed to try ? 

Have you seen the purpling mountain, 
Looming, massive, in the light; 

Seen the glowing clouds above you, 
Flaming pillars turning white? 

Then you know why I am dreaming — 
Longing for the mountain-height. 

In those high and silent forests, 

Roam we free the hunter's ground! 

Where the deer his haunt is making, 
Mid the solitudes profound! 

Where the pine trees stand defiant, 

Battling, while the storms surge 'round! 



[18 



&ong0 Jn *anp lkty& 



THE MEADOW-LARK. 

Oft we hear at dawn of day 

Nature's music start to play: 

Flutes and organs, rustling leaves, 

Crickets chirping mid the sheaves, — 

Loud and clear above them all 

Breaks the meadow-lark's sweet morning call ! 

Ere the sun has kissed the ground, 

Liquid notes, with flute-like sound, 

Greet the coming of the light, 

Banish sombre shades of night; 

While the earth in glad surprise, 

Shakes the dewdrops from her drowsy eyes. 

Thro' the dusk there comes a note 

From some feather'd chorister's throat; 

Then another answers clear, — 

Some afar and some anear; 

Soon the chorus richly swells, 

Ech'ing down the woods and shady dells. 

19] 



&ong* In 9Mn? Se^ 



Dun and yellow are his clothes ; 
Every boy this songster knows: 
Knows his whistle, blithe and gay, 
Good to drive bad dreams away ! 
Always merry, never still, 
Singer of the vale and sunny hill! 



HYMN TO THE MORNING. 

With joy we hear at break of day 

The voice of Nature speak alway 

The self-same song, first heard by man, 

When earth, new-form'd, her course began. 

In bleat of lamb, in tuneful lark, 

Tho' no progression we can mark — 

Far difTrent they from human-kind 

Who speech improve with growth of mind — 

Yet all such natural tones inspire, 

And warm the heart with lambent fire. 

[20 



Song* 3n 9?ann Senis 



For large the wealth of Nature's store; 

A task unending to explore. 

Like Newton on a shore we stand, 

And mys'tries view on ev'ry hand. 

The world is wide, the outlook broad; 

Before such grandeur we stand awed; 

Or join us in the hymn of praise 

Which each succeeding dawn doth raise ; 

For why alone should man be mute 

When mountain, bird, and each dumb brute 

Extol in songs of rarest art 

The throbbings of their common heart? 

The call of bird upon the lea 

Is music full of ecstasy; 

The whispering of the rustling wind 

Is music to the listening mind; 

The distant roar of waterfall 

Is music meet for such high hall, — 



21] 



feonga ]n 9$anv l&ty& 



Where arching dome, a crystal sphere, 
Resoundeth ever to the ear 
With all sweet sounds that stir the heart, 
And strength and God-like grace impart. 
The word that's heard on grove and hill 
Possesses power thy soul to fill: 
Then let us join the hymn of praise 
Which Nature's children all upraise! 
Then let us join with one accord 
In Nature's hymn unto the Lord ! 



MOUNTAIN PINES— A SONG. 

See the pine trees dark above you! 

Hear the west wind's harp at play ! 
When the ocean-child, at evening, 

Blows t'ward land, — the fog-cloud gray — 
When the mountain forests murmur, 

At the quiet close of day. 



[22 



&0ttg0 Jn fan? lup* 



Homeward now the shag is flying, 
Piping quail has ceased his note; 

When the light has turned to shadow 
Hush'd is every songster's throat, — 

When around the pine-clad summits 
Sea-born cloud-banks slowly float. 

Soon the twilight fades to darkness, 
Like some dim, mysterious cave, 

Lit by countless gems that sparkle — 
Dark the silence as the grave; 

But the pine trees keep on sighing, 
While their wind-toss'd branches wave! 



HOW DAY EXCELS THE NIGHT. 

The stars have wondrous beauty, 

The night is very fair; 
Yet daylight is far better, 

Because the sun is there! 
He starts the world to singing 

And brings joy everywhere! 

23] 



&on&0 In 9Mnp %e^ 



My heart is full of music 

When th' robin in the tree 
Is piping forth a greeting, 

His daybreak melody; 
Across the fragrant meadows, 

Life sounds a jubilee! 

The sun ascends in glory, 

The world is bathed in light ; 
The mountains loom, refulgent 

With fields of snowy white; 
The wide earth sings with gladness, 

How day excels the night! 

Oh music of the morning! 

Oh breaking of the day! 
Oh splendor of the dawn-light! 

When darkness turns to gray : 
Impart to me your grandeur 

And I shall sing alway! 

[24 



&on&0 In Q$anv Sup* 



DAYBREAK. 

The leaden East is lit by early Dawn: 
First pale, then bright, upstreams the glow- 
ing light 
Of rising sun; the erstwhile stars withdrawn 
Have vanish'd with the gloomy shades of 
Night. 

The birds awaken'd greet approaching Day; 

The cock starts drumming on the lowland lea ; 
The ghost-like mists, roll'd silently away, 

Soon scatter, leaving verdant meadows free. 

The spring wind rising, bends the nodding grass, 
And draws from every bush ^Eolian tones ; 

The swift-wing'd swallows twitter as they pass, 
The brooklet chatters with its moss-grown 
stones. 



25] 



&ong0 Jn 9$anv T&ty& 



On high the wild goose steers an outward 
course, 

Announcing loudly by his uncouth cries 
His near approach, while huntsmen in the gorse 

Await with loaded guns and straining eyes. 

Long time, ere this, the lark has sought the sky, 
The dull earth spurn'd, his late despis'd abode, 

And whilst his matin song pours forth, his eye 
Surveys broad fields and distant winding road. 

In sheltered yard the lowing cattle call; 

Melodious songs stir with the rising breeze : 
Like chime of distant murm'ring waterfall 

Such music hath strange power to lull and 
please. 

All this I see, these things half-dreaming hear; 

The Earth hath woke; ev'n drowsy, lazy man 
Hath risen! No longer tarry, day is near; 

Shun not thy 'custom'd work; life's but a 
span! 

[26 



&ong* In $@anp lug* 



AFTER THE STORM. 

The storm had ceased, — a flood of light 
Went shimmying 'cross the lakes and hills; 
The rain had pass'd, — a thousand rills 

Rolled babbling by in headlong flight. 

The mountains flamed with gold and browns, 
Where broken grasses knee-deep lay; 
The green salal and pungent bay 

Like em'ralds gleamed, on the spreading downs. 

Along the beach the white sea poured, 

And wildly beat upon the sand; 

A dream of peace smiled o'er the land, — 
But the sullen ocean hoarsely roared! 



27] 



&ong0 Jn Q$anv Jktv* 



THE SISKIYOUS. 

How huge the bold peaks of the Siskiyou moun- 
tains, 
Where rearing t'ward heaven, sheer summits 
so high! 
How white gleam the snows — all those cool, 
crystal fountains, 
Whence waters come tumbling as tho' from 
the sky. 

Hid deep in the gorges, the cataracts roar, 

The wild music sounding of ten thousand rills ; 
And far t'wards the summits, so covered with 
hoar, 
The long-needled pines chant their hymn to 
the hills. 

The blue of the sky, as it's arched overhead, 

Is match'd by the azure that purples the land ; 
The view of such colors, tho' painting were 
dead 
Should train from a peasant a world's 
master-hand ! 

[28 



&ong0 Jn f anp l&tv& 



Translucently clear, and resplendently bright — 
Those wide-stretching rivers of ice and of 
snow; 
Upon their broad wastes, in the Morn's early 
light, 
Flash colors as brilliant as iris-hued bow. 

While far to the eastward the Shasta peak 
stands, 
The home of the spirits, the Siskiyous' dread; 
And off to the westward, in Siskiyou lands, 
The chiefs pitch their hutches, near Trinity 
Head. 

Then hail to the mountains, the Siskiyou 
Ranges, 
Where hooded in snow and deep tinted with 
blue, 
Unmindful of Time and his multiform changes, 
These giants of yore rear their heads into 
view ! 

29] 



&ottff0 In 9?anp £tn0 



THE REFORMER'S CREED. 

If the world should scoff at you, 
Talk and chatter at your ways, 
Mocking at your so-called "craze," 

Finding fault with what you do: 

If the world should laugh at you, 
Criticise the Faith you hold — 
Faith as pure as furnace-gold — 

Shallow mockers are not few: 

If the gossips of the town, 

Turn to speak in cold derision 

Of your firm and just decision, 
Not to let your Creed go down: 

Would it change your constant plan? 

Change your faith in God above? 

Change your trust in Truth and Love? 
Would you cease your work for Man? 

[30 



&ong0 In 9£an? T&tv& 



LET MY PEOPLE GO! 

Ye who plan to win by greed, 
Scorning at the People's need, 
Halting not at means and ways; 
Fear ye not the coming days? 
Let my People go! 

Ye who seek for Place and Power, 
Plotting evil every hour, 
Bribing those — the slaves of gold, 
Men whose souls are bought and sold- 
Let my People go! 

Ye who forge the chains of steel, — 
Have ye hearts that throb and feel? 
Have ye ears? Then hear that sound 
As its thunders shake the ground — 
Let my People go! 

Old Rameses heard that cry, 
Saw the signs with scornful eye; 
Pharaoh heard it, but too late 
To avert his dreadful fate! 
Let my People go! 

31] 



&ong£ In $)an# 1&ty& 



On the ranches, in the field, 
See how Nature's harvests yield! 
Will ye rob the People's grain? 
By extortion make ye gain? 
Let my People go! 

In the shops the toilers sweat, 
Do ye think such men forget? 
List ye, ere ye drink your fill, 
Hear the Ages calling shrill: 
Let my People go! 

Thieves who loot the marts of Trade! 
Do ye think this world was made, 
Framed to give freebooters place, 
Room to grind the poor man's face? 
Let my People go! 

Let them go! 'tis I who call — 
I, who framed this world for all; 
To my People everywhere 
I will grant their rightful prayer: 
Let my People go! 

[32 



&on&0 ]n *an? Se^0 



WHO IS MY MASTER? 

Who is my master ? — Who, I say, 

Presumes my life to rule? 
Who sets the bounds to hedge my way? 

Who claims me for Time's fool? 

And I, a man, a freeman born! 

Am I to bow the knee? 
You think I quake because of scorn — 

Your soul was never free! 

Base child of circumstance and fears! 

Vain creature of dread Fate! 
Live on — aye, grovel thro* the years — 

Afraid to go or wait! 

Who is my master? Do you ask? 

Think you I'll live a slave, 
That man's opinions set my task? 

Let others play the knave! 

33] 



Sottas In 9®anv Hen0 



I am free-born! The lash of Time 
May fall and cut or mar; 

My road leads on to heights sublim< 
I follow Faith's clear star! 



SAILING ROOM FOR ALL. 

How wide, how wide, the boundless sea! 

How far the course from shore to shore ! 
How vast is all eternity, — 

An endless road forevermore! 

The dome-like sky spreads everywhere, — 
Unmeasured depths of crystal blue, 

An all-surrounding gulf of air, 
Where Time and Space seem lost to view ! 

Ah, yes, and many ships set sail, 

And spread their white wings to the breeze; 
And dash thro* foam with f resigning gale; 

But all find room upon Life's seas! 

[34 



&ong0 In 9®ant> lktv& 



DISCHARGING A DEBT. 

My thanks to thee, my worthy friend, 

That thou hadst time and thought to lend 

To one, perchance, who feels today 

A debt he cannot hope to pay; 

And yet he knows thy gifts are given 

As free as sunlight streams from heaven! 

More precious than the yellow gold, 
Or wealth which India's princes hold, 
Thy gifts have come from out the heart, 
And of thy kindness take a part : 
Enriching both thyself and me, — 
What gifts, than such, could worthier be? 



35] 



&ongs Jn 9® any Sugg 



THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. 

Whatever comes, receive the gift 

With firm and tranquil mind; 
Those barks are lost which idly drift 

The prey of ev'ry wind. 

The compass is a man's best friend 

When on the boisterous sea; 
Belief in Good as life's true end 

Will be such friend to thee. 

The faith that strongly looks to Him 

Who rules the mighty deep, 
No cloud-like doubts his course shall dim, 

No storms such bark o'ersweep. 

Who is it falters at the gate, 

Nor dares to put to sea? 
Why longer in the harbor wait ? 

Since God will pilot thee. 



[36 



&on&0 In fan? lu?0 



LOVE'S CHAIN. 

The sky is bright in cloudless June, 
When ech'ing to the lark's wild tune; 
As lovely bright thy face to me, 
Thy love, who madly worships thee. 

The rose is fair in early May, 
That spreads its colors to the day; 
So fair thy laughing lips to see — 
Those lips that speak such sympathy. 

The cloud-cast sky is dark at night, 
When moon and stars obscure their light; 
How black thy flashing eye, and dark! 
I tremble, when its frown I mark. 

But when with words of sweetest grace, 
Thou turn'st on me a lover's face, 
My trembling heart fresh hope regains, 
And Life grows joyous, 'neath Love's chains 

37] 



&ong* Jn $ann H1110 



TO A DEPARTING FRIEND. 

I dreamt of thee today, love, 

I dreamt of thee, today; 
The sun shone bright they say, love, 

But my thoughts were far away! 

His beams I could not see, love, 

For I only thought of thee; 
How my heart grew light and free, love, 

When thou cam'st to dwell with me! 

Yes, the memory is sweet, love, 

Tho' never more we meet; 
In my inmost heart's retreat, love, 

Thy image dwells complete. 

It may be for the best, love, 
That my heart should feel unrest, 

But I'll hold, tho' sore distress'd, love, 
Thy image as my guest. 



[38 



&ong0 3n $an? lup* 



GOLDEN GATES. 

(Tune, Golden Gates.) 
Chorus: 
Outward, outward, thro' the gate, 

Portal to the sunset sea; 
Fairest breezes on us wait, 
God our pilot be ! 

Outward, outward, 'cross the bar, 

Sweeps our ship with spreading sails, 

Making for her port afar, 
Hoping prosperous gales. 

Let the winds and tempests blow! 

Stout's the ship that carries me, 
Sailing, sailing as we go, 

O'er the sunset sea. 

Outward, outward, t'wards the west, 
Tossing on the heaving deep, 

Riches, honors, are the quest, 
As we onward sweep. 



39] 



&ong0 In *anp T&tvfi 



Some set sail to win renown, 
Some seek love — a golden prize; 

In the deep the Past we'll drown — 
Fair are sunset skies. 

Hoist the sails, the canvas spread ! 

Turn the prow to seek the West! 
Let the vacant Past lie dead ! 

Days to come are best ! 

Ev'ry night the stars will shine; 

Ev'ry morn a sunrise brings, 
Leave the dregs and drink the wine, — 

Life with laughter rings. 

Chorus: 
Outward, outward, thro* the gate, 

Portal to the sunset sea ; 
Fairest breezes on us wait, 

God our pilot be ! 

[40 



&on&0 Jn aHnp T&ty* 



DINING A FRIEND. 
L 

THE INVITATION. 

An English roast, a pot of tea, 

And bread and fruit — it seems to me 

That's quite enough to load a table, 
To show true hospitality; 

We greet our friends as we are able! 

And quip, and joke, and happy thought, 
Tis known quite well cannot be bought, — 

We always serve 'em with our meat — 
They aid digestion, so we're taught, 

And make plain food taste rich and sweet. 

So if you come to visit town 

We'll try right hard to please you, Brown; 

One much prefers a place that's cheery 
To city taverns of renown; 

Without good sauce a meal grows dreary ! 

41] 



&onn0 In 9tHn# iu#0 



II. 



THE MENU. 

To save a bit of argument, 
We will admit that time's well spent 
In cutting roasts and munching bread — 
Like animals, man must be fed, — 
And having feasted feels content. 

With patent sauces' eager fire, 
We would be loath our friends to tire, — 
You "do not like such 'knock-me-downs ?' " 
Your choice does credit to the Browns, — 
Plain, simple tastes most men admire. 

Nor have we yet been much impress'd, 
With need of music for our guest, 
Or that the din of horns and bones 
Should drown melodious human-tones, 
And wit and laughter be suppress'd. 



[42 



&ong* ]n 9Hn? l&tv* 



But when the amber tea is pour'd, 
We hope you'll share your ample hoard 
Of jokes and stories, full of zest; 
Be sure and serve us with your best — 
Our merry laugh your rich reward! 

III. 

TABLE-TALK. 

"The times are out of joint," you say? 

Why, Brown, your indigestion's bad; 
You let your stomach have its way 

Too much, and so your thoughts are sad. 
I hope you'll pardon the intrusion, 
No harm is meant by such allusion. 

But we'll not spend the hour tonight 
In talking of the Things That Are, 

But of the Has-Beens' distant flight-— 
The twinkle of our boyhood's star : 

The days when appetite was ruddy 

And sounds of nature were our study. 

43] 



&ong0 In 9Hnp T&ty& 



In summer-time the cat-bird's call 
Would mock us from the thicket's gloom ; 

The squirrel in the yellow fall 
Would hide within his hollow room, 

And scold to see two boys come gunning, 

Disturbing rodents from their sunning. 

Then on the landscape fell the snow, 

A magic winding-sheet of white; 
And wondrous drifts began to grow, 

By elfish hands reared in a night, — 
The work so skillfully attended 
No Eastern mosque ere loom'd more splendid. 

I think, friend Brown, you will recall 

The glory of that rising sun : 
When thro' the snow-deck'd forest-hall, 

His frosty beams a road had won ; 
When God such beauty was bestowing 
That every bough with gems was glowing. 



[44 



&ong0 In ®$&nv J&ty& 



Now, take another cup of tea, 

While we draw round that ev'ning fire, 
Where in our thoughts we seem to be 

Watching the glowing coals expire, 
The sweet and luscious cider drinking, — 
Of such a scene who could help thinking! 



DARK IS THE STORM-CLOUD. 

Dark is the storm-cloud, when driven on high 
Over the dank and the desolate plain ; 
Cold falls the down-dripping rain: 

Tempest and storm — then God's peace in the 
sky! 

After the tempest there cometh a calm, 
After the wind and the rain there is rest ; 
That which day bringeth is best : 

Tears portend laughter, and life is a psalm ! 

45] 



&ong0 In 9Hn? l&tyz 



After the tempest the lake sleeps in peace ; 

Bright are the beams of the great ruddy sun ; 

Clouds flee away, one by one: 
After the tempest our troubles shall cease! 



LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. 

After all is said and done, 
Battles lost and battles won ; 
After all our care and sorrow, 
Steps beset by ills we borrow ; 
Still we cry, amid the strife, 
"Oh, how beautiful is life!" 

Life is fair to look upon, 
Be the battle lost or won ; 
For we know, if we have fought 
As courageous soldiers ought: 
Ours is not the task to say 
Who shall triumph in the fray. 

[46 



&ong0 In fan? l&tv* 



FLAG OF OUR FATHERS. 
(a national song.) 

Chorus: 
The flag of our fathers ! The flag of the free! 
Your stars in their beauty, how glorious to 

see! 
Praise the God who hath promised beneath 

your bright folds, 
All the hopes and the grandeur the fair 

Future holds ! 

Thro' the gloom of the night, like a star in the 

sky, 
How our banner of light floated proudly on high ! 
When the hoarse roar of battle came surging 

around, 
Then our flag, in the van, led the charge o'er the 

ground ! 



47] 



&ong0 In 9Mnp l&ty* 



With a song of rejoicing our soldier-boys 

come, — 
They are sounding their triumph with fife and 

with drum. 
In the camp and the field they no longer will 

roam ! 
They have brought back the flag of their country 

and home! 

Now the sun once again sheds his beams on our 

land, 
And we know that the day of the Lord is at 

hand! 
He is leading His people, oh, be not dismayed! 
Both in peace and in battle our Lord giveth aid. 

As we triumphed in war, let us triumph in peace ! 
As the ages roll onward let freedom increase ! 
With the coming of day let us welcome the light ! 
Let us rear up a people for God and the right! 



[48 



&ong0 Jn $®any Iktyn 



Chorus: 
The flag of our fathers ! The flag of the free ! 
Your stars in their beauty, how glorious to 

see! 
Praise the God who hath promised beneath 

your bright folds, 
All the hopes and the grandeur the fair 

Future holds! 



COURAGE. 

Should you hear a tempest roar, 

Hear hoarse waves along Life's shore 
Bellowing fiercely when they reach the rocky 
strand : 

Calmly view the tumult loud; 

Never fear the angry crowd, 
When your feet are planted on the solid land. 



49] 



Sons** In Q&anv l&tt* 



Turn your gaze to watch the sky, 

Watch the beacons as they fly 
Lighting up the darkness with a wondrous flare : 

Bright as gleams the lightning's flash — 

Ere resounds the thunder's crash — 
Are the signs which hurtle thro' the threat'ning 
air. 

Mighty is the Cause of Right; 

Truth and Honor through the night 
Like a beacon light the land and angry sea: 

Duty guides you on your way, 

Soon you'll greet the coming day, — 
Oh, the strength of him whose soul is ever free! 



[So 



&onn0 In 9®any Iktv* 



LINES WRITTEN AT THE DEATH OF 
WILLIAM McKINLEY. 

The earth seems hush'd in blackest gloom! 
The martyred hero — he who died 
At Duty's post — his country's pride — 

Will soon be resting 'neath the tomb. 

"Good-bye, good-bye to all !" he said. 
These latest words, we hear them still, 
Marked by submission to that will, 

Which all thro' life his way had led. 

But ah ! that chant — his last farewell : 
"Nearer, my God, to Thee," he sighs, 
And hymns that prayer before he dies, 

A song on which ev'n angels dwell! 

The thought of that last scene on earth 
Must touch the common heart of man, 
Respondent, since the world began, 

To all that makes for God-like worth. 

SO 



& ongg In $)anp He^ 

All honor for his constant strife 

To do what to him seemed the right; 
His toils unceasing, day and night, 

To lead men to a higher life! 



A DIRGE. 

The blood-red rays of setting sun, 
Shone on the dead; 
There had they fallen, one by one— 
Those corses red! 

Beneath the stars and midnight's gloom- 
Cold, lifeless forms — 
How still they lie, without a tomb : 
Strange prey for storms! 



[52 



&ong£ In $)anp iupg 



HOPE. 

Beside a grave a cypress-tree, 

A marble column at its head : 

These are the signs which mark the dead,- 
Sad emblems of mortality ! 

With tear-stained eyes I stood and gazed 
Upon that mould'ring clod of earth; 
Nor thought I of that glorious birth 

Attained by those whom God hath raised. 

But when I upward turned my eyes, 
Down thro' those mournful cypress-trees, 
Which sadly sighed with every breeze, 

The stars were shining from clear skies! 



53] 



&onu0 In ^an^ Sen 



SONG — IN THE MEADOWS. 

If you were in the meadows late, 
When evening dews were falling, 
When whistling thrush was calling — 

A song to please his nesting mate: 
Dews fast falling, thrushes calling — 

While the hour was wearing late: 

If you have plucked the scented rose, 

And dainty cowslip yellow, 

Amid the marshes mellow — 
No sweeter flowers Dame Nature grows : 

Cowslips yellow, marshes mellow, 
And the scented, sweet-briar rose : 

If you have seen fair Venus 5 star, 

Low in the west still twinkling, 

Yet slowly, slowly sinking — 
Still beaming as it sets afar: 

Downward sinking, gleaming, twinkling, 
Sets the glorious evening-star: 

[54 



&0U00 In fan? lup* 



Then, oh then, you thought, I know, 
Of him whose heart was yearning, 
And ever homeward turning — 

Who dream'd of you, 'mid evening's glow! 
Homeward turning, longing, yearning — 

Who dream'd of you, 'mid evening's glow! 

THE RECONCILIATION. 

Of all the hours I ever spent, 

Those hours I hold most dear, 
When One her gracious presence lent, — 

Who now no more is near! 
I call'd her Sweetheart, press'd her cheek 

With many a tender kiss ; 
But time forbids that Name to speak, 

And mocks at youthful bliss! 

And yet I can no more forget 

When Love first cross'd my way, 

Than morning-rose her leaves to wet, 
Or sun to light the day ! 
55] 



&ons0 In S^anp Ifc e p 



I call'd her Sweetheart — youthful dreams! 

Doom'd like the day to die! — 
And yet those ling'ring sunset-beams 

Still light my evening sky! 

I call'd her Sweetheart then, and yet — 

Thro' all these stormy years, 
That face I can no more forget 

Than Time can dry Love's tears, — 
Tears not of grief, but tender, deep, 

Rich treasures of the Past! — 
A vision! let the fond heart weep! 

My old Sweetheart at last! 

LINES TO A YOUNG URCHIN. 

Young urchin, toddlin' with uncertain gait 

Along the street, 
Be careful of your steps, or soon or late, 

Mischance, you'll meet 
Such sights as terrify the grown-up race — 
Be careful, man 'kin! with your toddlin' pace! 

[56 



&on$# In Sl^anp !U£0 



The big, black dogs that love to congregate 

Beside the road, 
Are prone by nature to investigate 

A stagg'ring load, 
Such as your wicker-basket bears within : 
To ease its weight a bit they hold no sin ! 

Or if some bigger lad, with hungry maw, 

Begins to pry 
Among the paper parcels, spite of law, 

You must not cry, — 
But show your mettle, lad! defend your right! 
I would be loath to see you turn in flight ! 

Why, legs so short were scarcely framed to run ! 

Such sturdy shanks ! 
A chubby lad like you thrives best on fun 

And boyish pranks ! 
And yet you'll not have many years to wait 
For manly step, instead of toddlm' gait ! 



57] 



&ong0 Jn $®anv Sen 



TO A CHILD. 

To mortals is it seldom given, 

To see a sight so rare : 
Such love and sweet simplicity, 

In one so truly fair! 

Ah, how shall erring human pen, 
Describe such gentle grace? 

Or how shall empty words avail 
To paint an angel's face! 

Then do not marvel at the art 
Which tells of fairy ways ; 

Once seen, no mortal could resist 
To sing her worth and praise. 

Dear child, you cannot understand 
The devious ways of earth, — 

Nor need you, if you seek alone, 
Things of noblest worth. 



[58 



&ong0 In fan? Ien0 



SONGS THAT MOTHER USED TO SING. 

A tear or smile, whiche'er it be, 
Fond thoughts unbidden, rouse in me, 
And summon back from bygone days 
The scenes long lost in childhood's maze, 
While in my ear there seem to ring 
The songs which mother used to sing! 

Ah, yes, 'twas in the evening-glow, 
When ruddy sun, then sinking low, 
Cast on the sky a fading light 
And bade to earth a long good-night ! 
We children round her knee would cling 
To hear that voice angelic sing. 

Those simple lays, like words of prayer, 
Could waft away each childish care; 
Such doubts or fears as flecked the day 
Soon like a shadow stole away: — 
What joy that hour could always bring 
When mother's voice began to sing. 

59] 



&ong0 In f anp leH 



"Hush, hush, my dears! in slumber lie, 
For angels bright are watching nigh ! " 
Pure songs of childhood, all too fleet ! 
That made our evening-hour so sweet ! 
Tonight I hear them echoing, 
Those songs which mother used to sing! 

We're scattered now thro* many lands, 
In mountains, plains, by ocean's sands, — 
And yet that distant home draws near 
And from the Past I know I hear 
Those songs, in tender accents ring, — 
I hear again my mother sing! 

GOOD-BYE. 

The time has come to say "good-bye ! " 
As friends weVe met, as friends we part ; 

Yet pray, repress the mournful sigh — 
The witness of a heavy heart, — 

"Good-bye, good-bye !" — a solemn word: 

Would that its tones might ne'er be heard ! 

[60 



&ong0 In fan? lktv& 



We met as friends upon life's way, 
We've pass'd how many pleasing hours, 

And as each day succeeded day 

We've gather'd friendship's fadeless flowers 

But now "good-bye ! " — that oft-spoke word, 

One which we vainly wish deferr'd ! 

The lad who left the family home, 

Who kiss'd a mother's tear-stained face, 

Then turned away afar to roam, 
Can still recall the tender grace 

With which she spoke the last "good-bye !"— 

A word her lips should sanctify ! 

"Good-bye, good-bye ! " — on ev'ry hand 
We hear fond lips repeat the phrase : 

Love, Youth, Old Age, life's motley band 
All say "good-bye" with downcast gaze: 

And yet "good-bye" may ope the door 

Where we need speak that word no more ! 



61] 



Song* In 9Hn? Hit y& 



SHOSHONE CRADLE SONG. 

Chorus: 
An Indian babe should make no cry: 
Who knows what foe is lurking nigh ! 
Who knows what foe is lurking nigh! 

Hush ! hush ! my child, sh — do not cry ! 

The Darkness will not hurt thee : 
The Moon is rising in the sky, 
The yellow Moon is rising high, — 

Come, Indian baby, come and see! 

Be still, my child, and have no fear! 

The Shadows will not harm thee : 
Some hooting owl is drawing near, 
Tis but his chatter that we hear, — 

Come, Shoshone baby, come to me ! 

The night is chill, the Moon is cold ! 

The wigwam-fire will warm thee : 
Then come, my child, let owlets scold ; 
Some day thou 'ilt be a warrior bold, — 

No Shadows then will make thee flee! 

[62 



&ong0 Jn 9Mnp l&t v& 



Chorus: 
An Indian babe should make no cry : 
Who knows what foe is lurking nigh! 
Who knows what foe is lurking nigh! 



THE LOVER'S DREAM. 

How sweet, in cool and twilight air, 
To see a maid with sable hair, 
With winsome grace, with starry eyes, 
Which thrill the heart with glad surprise. 

With glad surprise we feel the charm — 
The love which gushes full and warm; 
That fills the breast with longings sweet, 
And draws two hearts as one to beat. 

The liquid trill of nightingale 
Is music meet for moonlight pale; 
While all our chords of being know 
The fatal shafts from Cupid's bow. 



63] 



&on&0 Jn *anp Stp0 



RAIN IN CALIFORNIA. 

Listen to the falling rain, 
Dashing, splashing to the ground, 
With its cool, refreshing sound 

Dripping on the leaves again! 

All the hills so dry and sere ; 

Parched and brown the fields of brakes; 

But the falling water makes 

Transformation in the year! 
******** 

Thus Nature works her marvelous change, 
From colors dark to richest hue 
As rare as heaven's ethereal blue, 

Each year repeated, but as strange. 

For gentle rains refresh the strand, 
Beside the blue Pacific's shore, 
When Autumn visits here once more, 

Transmuting all the golden land ! 



[64 



&ong0 In ^anp Sup* 



A HARVEST SONG. 

Ftrc/ Voice: 
"Sing the song of golden grain! 

Sing a song of gathered sheaves! 

Sing of frost — of dying leaves — 
Sing of clouds, of coming rain ! " 

Second Voice: 
"Who hath planted herb and tree ? 

Who hath mixed the hoar-frost's dye ? 

Gathered rain-clouds in the sky? 
Scattered flowers on wold and lea ? " 

Third Voice: 
"Who hath ripened seas of grain? 

Calling workers to the field 

Ready to the sickle yield — 
Held in check the blighting rain ? " 



65] 



Song* ]n 9£an£ Tktt* 



First Voice: 
"Hard the task to sing of Man; 

Fields of grain and gathered sheaves ; 

Rain-clouds dark or faded leaves — 
Save we speak of Nature's plan ! " 

Chorus: 
"God of Nature! tell to me 

Something of Thy wondrous ways ; 

All the earth proclaims Thy praise ; 
How I long to learn of Thee! " 



THE BELFRY CLOCK. 

The dreamer lies by sleep oppressed, 
Tho' Noon is hurrying on her hour ; 

List — the tolling bell's protest 
On high, in belfry tower. 

[66 



&ouff0 In $ann Kty$ 



One — hear the summons deep ! 

Wake ! ere that voice has gone ! 
What? — will the sluggard idly sleep 

While Time is rushing on? 
Two — three — four — five — 

Loud and clear strike warning chimes 
How the air those echoes rive! — 

Awake and stir betimes! 

Six — seven — eight — nine — 

Sound yon bell with all its power ! 
Rouse the sleeper, Lord Divine, 

To meet Thy approaching hour! 
Ten ! — no, he only moans, 

Tho' the bell is ringing clear; 
Eleven ! — solemn warning tones ! — 

And yet he will not hear! 

Twelve ! — the fateful hour has pass'd ! 

Ah, Time, alas, you could not wait ! 
The sluggard still is sleeping fast — 

Too late! too late! too late! 

6 7 ] 



&onff$ In 9Mn# lUtf* 



THE VOICE OF THE BATTLE. 

In the clash of the steel, in the battle-array, 

In the clatter of hoofs and the horses' mad neigh, 

In the rush of the charge, 'tis rare music we 

hear, — 
Oh, the conflict's hoarse roar to a soldier is dear ! 

Hark the boom of the guns and the roll of the 

drum, 
Telling loud to the hosts Death's wild legions 

have come! 
See Him ride wide a-field, with His keen saber 

bare, — 
Hear the shrieks of the lost, wildly rending the 

air! 

Then on! — and still onward our course let us 

urge 
In the sweep of the charge to the fierce battle's 

verge : 

[68 



&ong0 In 9@anp l&zy$ 



Come the legions of Death! who will put us to 

flight! 
Oh, the voice of the battle! 'tis the soldier's 

delight ! 



TOLERATION. 

"Forbid him not," Christ saith to thee; 
"No man can lightly speak of me 
"Who in my name shall wonders do — 
"The harvest's great, the lab'rers few : 
"Forbid him not ! Forbid him not ! " 

The cup of water may be small 
To proffer to the Lord of All : 
And yet the Master let us know 
Such gift will not unheeded go: 

"Forbid him not ! Forbid him not ! " 



69] 



&ong0 Jn 9?anp lkty& 



The faith that falters sore oppress'd 
With doubts if such deeds can be blest, 
Should gain new insight from the Word 
When Jesus' kindly voice is heard : 

"Forbid him not! Forbid him not! " 



WHEN THOU ART NEAR. 
(Tune, "When Thou Art Near") 

When Thou art near I shall not fear the night !- 

Thou givest rest! 
Thy yoke is easy and Thy burden is light ! — 

Thy way is best ! 
In life, in death, O Risen Christ, I pray 
Vouchsafe Thy peace, that passeth not away! 

The road of life ofttimes is very dark, 

And storm oppress'd; 
I look in vain for light, but fail to mark 

The Place of Rest,— 



[70 



&ottff0 Jn 9Hnp Tkty& 



Until, until I seek for Thee, and find 
The Power that rules the waves and boist'rous 
wind. 

Tho' hard and heavy seems the chast'ning hand, 

Upon me press'd, 
I turn thro 5 faith to Thee, and understand 

With God is rest! 
Help, Master, help my feeble faith to see 
How all-sustaining Love protecteth me! 

Guide, Master, guide me, lest I go astray, — 

Thou knowest best: 
For Thou to man hast shown the Perfect Way 

To God and Rest! 
However far my erring footsteps roam 
I'll find thro' Thee, at last, sweet Rest and Home ! 



7i] 



&ong* Jn 9?an? J&zy$ 



HOW FIRM OF HEART, HOW 

UNDISMAYED! 

(Tune "Bern,") 

How firm of heart, how undismayed, 
Who on the Lord his trust hath stayed: 
Thro* every ill he goes secure, 
From doubt and fears he liveth free, 
No foe his onset dare endure, — 
Since God will his Defender be ! 

What broad foundations are those made, 
That on the Rock of Truth are laid: 
The winds may drive, the rains may fall ; 
Creeds, dogmas, doctrines shift like sand; 
Yet Truth endureth thro' it all, 
For Truth is God's Almighty Hand! 

How strong that hope and full of cheer, 
Which sees how God is ever near : 
For tho' he lights the sun above, 
And stars and systems have His care, 
The smallest creature shares His love, — 
His Guardian-power is everywhere! 

[72 



&ong0 In $Mnp l&ty$ 



THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER. 

Our God, our Father Thou, who art in heav'n, 
Unto Thy holy Name be all praise giv'n ; 
Thy glorious kingdom come to us today, 
Thy blessed will be done 'mong men alway, 
Throughout the earth as in the heav'ns on high ; 
This day, as ever, hear the hunger'd cry — 
And feed with Israel's manna from the sky; 
As we forgive, on us Thy grace bestow ! 
When near temptation's awful pit we go, 
Oh let Thy child God's strong deliv'rance know ; 
For Thine the kingdom is, Almighty Love ! 
All power Thine, on earth, in realms above ; 
Thy glory, passing human speech to tell, 
Forever and forever here doth dwell: 

Thy Love Divine bespeaks a Father's care; 
Thy blessings flow ere we can frame a prayer ! 
So, with pure, child-like faith we call to Thee 
And trust today Thy All-Sufficiency! 

73] 



&ong0 Jn fan? lup* 



FOR AGES AND FOR AGES. 

For ages and for ages 

The mystery lay concealed, 
Until in gospel pages 

The Truth had been revealed; 
Here man first learned the story 

Of God's surpassing love, 
In sending down from glory 

The Lord Christ from above. 

The cross which Paul was preaching 

Was raised for every man, 
A reconcilement teaching, 

To God's eternal plan ; 
His child so sadly sinning, 

Now leaves its evil ways, 
For boundless love is winning, 

All earth to sing His praise! 



[74 



&ongg In <®anj? lupg 



TRAVELLERS. 

I. 

The Light which streams from ancient days 
Displays its beams to guide man's feet : 
With joy how travellers thrill to meet 
The rays which rive the darkened maze, 
And lead their steps thro' pathways plain, — 
Else had the struggle been in vain ! 

II. 

As on a journey one looks back 
And marvels at the winding road 
His feet have press'd with weary load ; 
And still ahead he sees the track 
Go coiling round the mountain-height, 
And halts in wonder at the sight : 



75] 



&ono;0 J n 9?en'riiep0 



in. 

So have I stood, entranc'd to see 
The Past close linked to what is now ; 
Ev'n as the green and spreading bough 
Springs from the trunk of parent tree ; 
So is the road we travel on: 
Behind, ahead, it all is one. 

IV. 
The God who formed this wondrous earth 
Is very good ; He works thro' Love 
And binds us to Him from above 
With chains of golden, priceless worth : 
Nor can we stray beyond His care, 
A Guardian-Power felt everywhere. 

V. 

For when thy soul had ceased to pray, 
And lips were dumb with silentness, 
Did He who made thee cease to bless, 
Or send thee empty on thy way? 
The Heart that framed the sum of all 
Can even mark the sparrow's fall. 

[ 7 6 



&on&0 Jn ^anp 2li{|0 



VI. 

Life's road looks dark; we make it so: 
We stumble on with blinded eye, 
Tho' near at hand that Pow'r stands by 
To grant release from earth-born woe : 
Yes, even heaven lies close at hand, 
And not in some far-distant land ! 

VII. 
In grief, in tears, we mourn the loss 
Of one held dear as life itself, — 
A little child, a tender elf, — 
And bear its absence as life's cross : 
A thing so hard to understand, 
Supposed to come by Love's command! 

VIII. 
Yet I cannot be brought to feel 
That Love sends evil unto man, 
Or that 'tis writ in God's great plan 
To give His children aught but weal : 
So much exists not understood, 
And seeming evil turns to good. 

77] 



&ong£ In 9$ any lkty& 



IX. 

We much distort the things we see, 
And build up evil in our thought, 
Until the mind itself has wrought 
A monstrous thing from fantasy : 
When, out of nothingness, there stands 
A horrid shape with clutching hands ! 

X. 

Alas for those who fail to raise 
Their eyes from earth to God above; 
Could they but know that God is love 
How soon their lips would speak His praise : 
And bless His all-abounding grace, — 
Could they but see a Father's face ! 

XL 

The blade of grass beneath thy feet 
In humble beauty holds its place, 
Mere strip of green, yet full of grace, 
But not less useful than the larger wheat : 
The lesson of its speech-tied tongue 
Is full as noble, tho' unsung. 

[78 



&ong0 In *an? l&tyg 



XII. 
Some measure by a common rule 
The orbit of the planet Mars, 
And all the clustering hosts of stars, — 
Like that once show'd them when at school ! 
Nor do they grasp the broader thought 
Which Science to the world hath brought. 

XIII. 
Yet telescope cannot disclose 
The life that lurks within the seed ; 
Where some see nothing but a weed, 
There others watch a budding rose: 
For star and plant, each have their place, 
And both fulfill their destined race. 

XIV. 
The mysteries of the Universe, 
I cannot hope to solve them here ; 
At times their meanings grow more clear, 
As sunbeams oft the clouds disperse; 
But when those clouds obscure my sight 
Then all is lost again in night. 

79] 



Sons* In tyanv Tktv* 



xv. 

Yet step by step the foot ascends 
That winding road, tho* hard and steep ; 
As children, first we only creep, 
Till manly strength its vigor lends: 
And if the mists roll back a space 
We bless the blue sky's glorious face ! 



STEP BY STEP. 

There was a time when all the earth was bright, 
Ulum'd by radiant glories from the sky, — 
A visionary dream that floated nigh, 
Reflecting colors like the rainbow's light; 

So fresh looked life, so fond her youthful dreams : 
Undarkened by dull Shadows of the Past 
Which now, alas, my skies oft overcast, 
Obscuring from my sight those morning-beams! 

[80 



& o n or In ^enp l&tyg 



Those tranquil hours, with speeding Time, have 

fled; 
Those hopeful visions have been laid aside; 
All, all too iridescent to abide, — 
Nor let the stout heart mourn that they are dead : 

For years have brought to us a larger view ; 
We see how grand this world which God hath 

made, 
And as those visions waste away and fade, 
Our daily tasks take on a heavenly hue. 

So step by step we may ascend to Him, 
Up from that Valley where the Shadow lay 
Into that freer life, that perfect day, 
Whose golden light no cloud shall ever dim. 

A life of service is the noblest gift 

Which man can tender as his meed of praise : 

We thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast led our 

ways! 
For Light and Shade, to Thee our song we lift ! 

8i] 



&ong0 In 9@an? l&tyg 



THE AUTUMN LEAF. 

I saw a withered leaf upon the ground; 

It lay there, dry and sere, a thing of death; 
And winds were crooning many a solemn sound, 

Among the reeds, embrowned by Autumn's 
breath. 

The elm which late had cast his shade, 
Now naked stood — a melancholy sight ; 

The thrush and twitt'ring wren had fled dismay'd 
When em'rald branches felt the Frost-King's 
blight. 

Ten thousand objects which my vision knew — 
The myriad creatures of a summer's day — 

Dun wren and sunlit flowers were gone from 
view, 
Old Earth herself seemed passing to decay ! 



[82 



feonffg Jn fan? llztv& 



Yet how could leaf thus fade and waste away, 
Or thoughtless bird desert its nesting-bower, 

If hidden forces were not here at play — 
The wondrous workings of a Higher Power ? 

Thro' such a school, the struggling soul of man, 
Beset by myst'ries all about him hurl'd, 

Must learn the vastness of that mighty plan 
Which weighs an atom and which builds a 
world ! 



THE VOICE OF THE ORGAN. 

The shadows of night are gathering around, 
The darkness descending has covered the ground. 

The bird in the grove has gone to her nest, 
The earth is all quiet and sunken to rest. 

Thro' rain and thro' mist the flickering taper 
Flares dim in the dank and thick-curtain'd vapor. 

831 



&on&0 In 9®any Se^ 



The chimes of the vespers are misled to repose 
By fog-cloud that stifles that sound as it goes. 

The church-door, flung open, bids welcome to all 
To enter within, thro' the dim-lighted hall. 

Without there is naught but dampness and cold, 
Within the high chancel is glitt'ring with gold. 

The Master-Musician has taken his chair 

And strains of sweet music are filling the air. 

Like purling of waters, or birds' even-song, 
The music, now started, is heard thro* the throng : 

The tones of the organ, in sadness and sorrow, 
Seem turn'd to the Past, quite forgetting the 
Morrow ; 

The eyes of the list'ners turn back to the day, 
When Earth wore a splendor that promised to 
stay. 

[84 



&onn0 Jn 9£anp l&t$& 



Yet sadly the organist dwelt on that theme, 
Well knowing things seen are not that which they 
seem. 

But when the musician had thus mused awhile, 
His gloom sought relief in a more cheerful style : 

The tones ringing clear in a high upper key 
Re-echoed the music of earth and the sea; 

Twas the gurgling of waters among the cool 
stones, 

'Twas lisping of leaves, or the grove's organ- 
tones — 

When wandering winds have passed 'mong the 

trees, 
And musical branches are fanned by the breeze. 

For harmonic measures were framed by Great 

Pan 
To bring the wide world to the service of man. 

85] 



Song* In tyanv Utt* 



The soul of each instrument merely produces 
Some apt phase of Nature, its voice, tone and 
uses. 

If 'raptured we hear such sweet songs and are 

mute, 
Then Nature hath spoken thro' cello and flute. 

Yet Nature's not always so gladsome and gay : 
For Life, like a shadow, goes fleeting away. 

The swift seasons come, but they scarce can 

abide, 
Hurried like waters, which flow with the tide. 

The leaves and the flowers are bright 'neath the 

sky, 
But when the day faileth they also must die ! 

So man, even man, tho' wide he may roam, 
Soon heareth the summons that calleth him home. 

[86 



&ong0 In 9Hn? ten 



With thoughts deeply saddened, traversing his 

mind, 
The player sought vainly expression to find. 

His soul, like the organ, was panting for breath, 
With visions before it of Time and of Death. 

The strains that were uttered were solemn and 

deep, 

Like passing of Life to its long-promised Sleep. 
******** 

The organ hath ceased its lament ; not a sound 
Disturbeth the church, or its darkness profound. 



871 



bonnets 



5ong0 In fan? Step* 



A VISION OF CALIFORNIA. 

Upon the margin of the Western Sea, 
Beside the heaving waters of the deep, 
I sat and watched the slow tide inward creep, 

And heard the singing waves with ecstasy — 

Those magic waves, so charged with Destiny ! 
And still I list, while eager thoughts o'erleap 
The things that are, for fields that Time shall 
reap 

In broad'ning harvests of the days to be. 
The vision of an empire grandly great, 

Looms thro' the fog that rises from the wave; 
The vision of a mighty golden State, 

Whose sons are numbered 'mong earth's truly 
brave, 
Because adorned by every noble trait — 

Such is the vision which old Ocean gave. 



91] 



&ong0 In $®anv Ikty* 



LOVE AND TRUTH WORKING. 

We marvel that the Christ in shame should die 
Upon the cross, with thief to mock and scorn 
At Him, alas! by cruel sorrows torn; 

For seemed that Power Divine no longer nigh, 

When agonized, He made His last dread cry : 
And yet we know those bitter pains were borne 
By one who blessed the hearts of those who 
mourn — 

Whose gentle soul could stifle every sigh. 

The myst'ry stands confessed, most deep to 
solve — 
And thus may stand ; for risen from that grave, 
With healing in His wings, all earth to save, 

His Spirit broods, while ages still revolve. 
For Love and Truth work on a larger plan 
Than seemeth just to narrow-minded man. 



[92 



feongg In *anp HtH 



STORM AT SEA. 

I love the tossing, ceaseless-rolling sea! 
I love the din and music of its' shore 
Where high the waters, upward rushing, pour 

Their floods of yeasty foam incessantly. 

My soul is restless as thou seem'st to be ; 
I share thy treasures — all that ample store 
Of kingly storms and winds is mine ; the more 

Thou givest, the vaster thine immensity ! 

The full-orbed moon, while peaceful sleeps the 
storm, 
Rules waves that have not ceased their constant 

flow 
Tho' long the fickle winds have ceased to blow. 

But when the savage tempest rears his form, 
And frightened sky is lashed by raging sea, 
Thy roaring waves are crowned with majesty ! 



93] 



&on&0 In S$an? Uity* 



A MIND OF CALM CONTENT. 

The man who hath a mind of calm content, 
Is not less rich than he whose ample field 
Doth yearly to his groaning warehouse yield 

Full store of Nature's products freely lent. 

For him, no dearth of rain can e'er prevent 
From satisfaction to his fullest need. 
His heart is not oppressed by envious greed, 

But thankful, he accepts what gifts are sent. 

Such man, indeed, fills no unworthy place: 
He will not brook the rasp of trivial things, 
But seeks the peace which firm Contentment 
brings, — 

Not least 'mong those who have adorn'd the race. 
A Pearl of Greatest Price is true Content; 
And rich that man, to whom such gift is sent. 



f94 



&ong* In 9$ any Iktv* 



A MILLION YEARS BUT AS 
YESTERDAY. 

The roots of life are buried in the Past, 
Men draw their growth from other days. 
The world with Plato's thought is yet ablaze; 

The deathless Word of Christ grows still more 
vast! 

The secret thought that springeth up at last — 
Like wheat long stored in Cheop's mystic maze 
Of chambered pyramids, thro' devious ways 

Will reach its hour : for now the seed has cast 

Its husk aside, — the glorious growth attests 
The Garden of the Gods would grow each 

flower 
When Nature may the best impart her power, 

As each in turn the sun with life invests. 
For measuring Nature in a larger way 
A million years are but as yesterday! 



95] 



feona* Jn 9panp £e^ 



MOTHER AND CHILD. 

A mother with her child upon her breast 
A slumber-song is heard to softly sing, — 
Or song or prayer, God knows, — still uttering 
The calm content of Love, and Hope, and Rest : 
Thus sweetly, as a birdling to its nest, 
The little one, now borne on angel's wing, 
Has pass'd to slumber-land, while hands yet 
cling 
To Her, — still praying that it may be blest : 
Then slumber calm and deep my baby child ! 
While hosts of angels guard thy infant feet, 
Which patter, patter thro' the dream-land 
street ! 
Ah! slumber deep, by golden dreams beguiled! 
Thus Love, divine, hath let her children know 
The bliss of heaven, while yet on earth below. 



[96 



&ong;0 In S@an? *ej>j& 



TRANSFORMING POWER OF LOVE. 

Love struck his heart with harmony divine — 
The waking chords responded, sweet to hear ; 
And even the heavenly hosts appeared more 
near, 
When evening's lucent star began to shine. 
Wide earth stood decked with splendors of the 
mine, — 
With diamonds, sapphires, rubies, sparkling 

clear ; 
The thrushes' warbling song, unto his list'ning 
ear 
Came from the thicket where the roses twine. 
The crimson glory of the evening sky; 

The sun's bald beams; the shadows as they 

pass; 

The lights and shades that play upon the 

grass; 

All these were framed to please the lover's eye! 

For Love, with airy grasp, doth lightly hold 

The Midas-touch that turns the earth to gold. 

97] 



&onff* In 9?anp l&ty& 



THE LIGHT PROPHETIC. 

In this dark pilgrimage which mankind makes, 
Those brave of soul, like beacon's flare on 

high, 
Still flash their welcome light athwart the 
sky; 
Altho' the dashing wave with thunder breaks 
Along the rocky shore, that trembling quakes 
Beneath the tumult roaring hoarsely nigh. 
Tho' loud the shrieking tempests wildly cry — 
The bold of heart such danger never shakes. 
Like Atlas who uplifts his giant form, 

And holds the sky from falling down to earth, 
These men, by kingly deeds, have prov'n their 
worth, 
And freely battled with the raging storm. 
The light prophetic which such spirits cast 
Dispels the gloom which shrouds the lurid 
Past. 



[98 



&ong0 In fan? UxtPfi 



THE COMMONS. 

How all admire the progress of mankind ! 

What marvels have been framed — on earth, in 
air! 

How great that Power which reaches every- 
where, — 
The broad dominion of Creative Mind. 
Go searching thro' the ages, still we find 

How Progress limitless hath stationed there 

Brave leaders sent to clear life's thoroughfare : 
A Moses, John, or Prophet Milton blind, — 
Who toiled to save the struggling human-race: 

Their deeds are epic songs; they each and all 

Have nobly sought, at Duty's clarion call, 
To do their tasks — to fill their appoint'd place. 

Thus grandly, too, have ev'n the Commons 
wrought, 

In deeds unsung, in unrecorded thought. 



99l 

LofC. 



&on&0 In $®anv %ty$ 



TRUTH IS CHANGELESS. 

Beneath the sun we find there's nothing new; 
All things that are, have been and yet will be ; 
Time stealeth on his way how silently! 
An Age hath come, ere his approach we view. 
The flowers which childhood's fancy ever grew 
Have withered down: their loss we failed to 

see 
Until we stumbled on the vacant lea, 
Where, in our youth, the flower-clad mead we 

knew. 
The ceaseless change comes round to all in turn: 
Seed time and merry harvest shall not fail, 
Nor sunny hours, nor snow, nor heat, nor 
hail, — 
While moon and stars upon their courses burn. 
Yet things we see are not what they appear — 
They seem to change,— but changeless Truth 
is here! 

[ioo 



&ong£ Jn fan? Ht?0 



THE POWER OF FAITH. 

The Doubting Thomas never will believe 
Until to him the gaping wounds are bared ; 
His halting faith has never boldly dared 

The beaten track of daily life to leave : 

And yet, in secret, he must deeply grieve 

O'er idle fears, — so thoughtlessly declared — 
O'er doubts — which strong-willed Peter never 
shared — 

Concerning One who no man would deceive. 

By faith the martyrs thro' the ages past 

Have vanquished death, and gained a golden 

crown ; 
Thro' faith, stout Luther hurl'd defiance down 

And met the mad assaults against him cast. 
Without Faith's aid in ruin earth would fall: 
How vast her power sublime, supporting all! 



IOl] 



&ong;0 In $ann Sen 



THE TRUE VICTOR. 

What! tremblest thou, because thy way looks 
dark; 

Because thy feet have erred and gone astray; 

Because thy road has been a troubled way, 
And fail'd to reach the ev'r retreating mark ? 
O helpless doubter ! if thou canst but hark, 

The voice of strong-willed Courage shall essay 

To call those latent forces into play, 
Which wait but to receive the eager spark 
To touch them into flame. Within the mind 

God set a power to conquer every ill; 

He conquers best who truly says, "I will!" 
And boldly presses on, though almost blind. 

Not he who never fell shall win the crown, 

But he who stoutly rose again when down. 



[102 



&ong0 In $ann len 



NOBILITY OF WORK. 

He sees the port, while breakers loudly roar 
And lash his tossing boat. Against the tide 
He stoutly pulled, his eager power applied 

To breast the flood that battled on the shore ; 

For well he knew that man can work no more 
When night at last has come; each task he 

tried 
Was treated as a trust by heaven supplied, 

Whereon he could a hero's strength outpour. 

Life is not made of idle, empty dreams — 
A vacant child of vast eternity-— 
A thing devoid of all sincerity — 

But life is work, and with work's blessing 
teems. 
Man gains nobility thro' toil and strife; 
The worker but fulfills the ends of life. 



103] 



&OU00 Jn ^anp Sen 



PRISONERS OF HOPE. 

Forget! methinks 'tis not so harsh a thing 
That one should lay aside the cares that fret 
His daily life, and for a time forget; 

The 'prisoned thrush will not refuse to sing ! 

His notes with woodland gladness ever ring: 
When fluttering wings by iron bars are met, 
Ev'n this he thinks not ill he should forget — 

His care- free heart with joy re-echoing! 

The free-born soul refuses to be bound, 
Tho' thousand petty evils round it rise; 

T were shame, indeed, to grovel on the ground 
When overhead such wondrous beauty lies : 

Eternal goodness circling man around, — 
If caged? Then caged by canopy of skies! 



[104 



&onff0 Jn !3?an? T&ty$ 



THE PROBLEM. 

From mystery to mystery we go! 

The grass that spreads its glossy leaf to day 

Lives life as perfect, in its humble way, 
As gaudy orchids, deck'd for gorgeous show. 
The wind's unceasing journey to and fro, 

But who, presumptuous, can their courses say ? 

Who sees the future of the child at play? 
Who claims, of life the hidden springs to know ? 
The everlasting hills, of old ordain'd, 

All speak the presence of Creative Mind : 

In these huge forms the wakeful soul may 
find, 
The hand of Him whose fiat Chaos chain'd: 

Still— who, the Why, the Whence, the Where 
can see? 

All this remains to man a mystery! 



105] 



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